The Daily Digest: 7-31-08

Posted at 8:51 AM on July 31, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

The 35W bridge collapse leads the digest today.

AP says two out of three problem bridges in each state have received no work except for maintenance. The analysis comes one year after the bridge collapse.

Sonia Pitt, the emergency manager who was fired from MnDOT for not promptly returning to Minnesota after the bridge collapse, is now working for the TSA.

Here's a rundown of Friday's memorial events.

2008 Race for Senate

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman gives back cash that was contributed by Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. MPR, AP and the Pi Press have stories.

Democrat Al Franken calls for Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

WCCO Reality Checks Coleman's bowling buddies ad.

MinnPost asks whether voters really care about Franken's jokes and Coleman's digs.

Coleman's wife, Laurie, makes The Hill's 50 most beautiful people list.

2008 Race for Congress

The Pi Press and AP have stories on the energy debate going on in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District.

It comes on the day when DFLer Elwyn Tinklenberg took an energy tour.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz releases an energy plan with a bipartisan group. It calls for limited drilling but not in ANWR. The Rochester Post-Bulletin and the Mankato Free Press have stories.

The Independence Party backs DFLer Steve Sarvi in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District.

2008 Race for President

Republican John McCain hits Democrat Barack Obama's celebrity status in a new ad.

Obama hits back with an ad called "low road."

He said the GOP is trying to scare voters.

Both candidates will be in the Upper Midwest today. McCain is in Wisconsin today. Obama is in Iowa.

The Washington Post says McCain has trouble staying on message.

Ron Paul could cause McCain some problems in the West.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

The Fix says the potential VP list may be getting larger.

Gov. Pawlenty delivered his Sam's Club remarks in Chicago on Wednesday. He's in Washington DC today for an education event.

Rivals are ready to attack the VP picks. Pawlenty will be "The godfather of no."

ABC looks at McCain's options. Pawlenty is mentioned as a potential "change agent."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said "I don't expect to be a part of it" when asked about the VP job.

State Government

New laws take effect tomorrow.

Congress

The MAC Chair says it's in Delta's best interest to inform the NAC and the state of Minnesota about their post merger plans.

The House passes a bill that would ban lead and other chemicals in toys.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar's work to save research money on a deadly wheat fungus is mentioned in USA Today.

Politico says Congress will leave without a fuel price fix. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

Peterson's bill to reign in oil speculators failed after Republicans complained it didn't include measures for offshore drilling.

2008 RNC

The Pi Press takes a look at who's coming to the big bash.

The feds give St. Paul $50 million for security.

St. Paul works to showcase the city.

St. Paul will provide the soapbox for protesters.

Some protesters are walking from Chicago to St. Paul.

Bars are slow to sign up for the 4AM bar time.

2008 DNC

New York Senator Hillary Clinton will speak on the Tuesday of the convention.

Comments (1)

See who is at the Downtown Saint Paul airport this afternoon. You guy's are incredible..... You buy anything that comes out of either candidates schedulers mouth.

Follow the logisticals and you have your answer to most of what you are pondering.

Posted by Art | July 31, 2008 11:08 AM

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